“Breathtaking view at the arrival!” Someone once said about Place Bellevue. Here we are at Place Bellevue in Lyon. It is a square in the district of La Croix-Rousse. This place offers more than just a pretty view. It is a place with a story.
Place Bellevue’s existence was noted in 1839. Over time, it grew. It absorbed nearby streets and squares. These included Rue Colonia, Rue Delassalle, Place de Brosses and Place Saint-Laurent.
The location of Place Bellevue is special. It opens onto the esplanade of the Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse. This area is called Le Gros Caillou. It includes the old Fort Saint-Laurent. There is also a garden.
Let’s talk about Fort Saint-Laurent. It was part of Lyon’s first fortified belt. It was built starting in 1830. Rising above the Rhone, it marked the end of the Croix-Rousse rampart. The rampart was torn down in 1865. It then became the Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse.
In the garden, a statue honors Sully Prudhomme. He was the first writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. The poet lived in Croix-Rousse. Marius Lèon Cladel sculpted the statue. Charles Meysson was the architect. It was displayed in Paris in 1911. The statue was inaugurated here at Place Bellevue on July 19, 1914. The poet’s executors donated it.
Place Bellevue even starred in a TV series. It was the main setting for the police series Chérif. A fictional police station facade was set up here.
From Place Bellevue, you can see the Pont De Lattre. Some clear days even offer views of Mont Blanc.
Place Bellevue is accessible. You can reach it via the Croix-Rousse metro station. There is also a Vélo’v station. It is located at Place de la Croix-Rousse.
So, take a moment to enjoy Place Bellevue. Think about its history. Appreciate the views. Remember the poet and the fort. Place Bellevue is more than just a square. It is a piece of Lyon’s story.